Why did Jordan Brand scrap these?

Most of the post-Bulls Air Jordans are awaiting the Retro treatment, but the Air Jordan XVI almost made it through a year ago. We’ve shown you a series of unreleased Air Jordan 16 Retro samples and even Jordan Brand athletes Ray Allen and Joe Johnson wore this early-2000s Jordan shoe in PE form. Despite those signs, the XVI never released and it appears that this finely crafted shoe, which features a patent-leather toe-box and a gaiter shroud, has been thrown in the backburner once more. With the Air Jordan XX returning this year, we should expect a renaissance period of the post-Bulls Jays, like the OG “Navy” pair seen here in sample form. Get a detailed look here and access the full listing from